Jermaine George {GoFundMe}

Two people killed in a single-vehicle crash on June 27 in Coconut Creek have been identified as Coral Springs residents.

Jermaine George, 30, was driving a 2023 Hyundai west in the 3600 block of Sample Road when it left the road and hit a concrete traffic light pole near the entrance to Tradewinds Park around 10:30 p.m., authorities said. Both George and his passenger, Khayla Jennings, 26, died at the scene, according to Coconut Creek Police.

A preliminary investigation indicates speed was a factor in the crash, police said. The crash investigation is ongoing. 

George’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and memorial expenses “so we can lay him to rest with love, dignity, and the honor he deserves,” the page states. 

“Jermaine was deeply loved and meant so much to everyone who knew him,” his family wrote. “His presence brought light, laughter, and comfort in ways that can never be replaced. We are devastated by this unexpected loss and are still trying to process life without him.”

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Arjun Talati {Courtesy}

The artificial intelligence startup Knowlify, co-founded by a Coconut Creek native while he was still a teenager, recently raised $3 million to expand its business, the company said.

Arjun Talati co-founded Knowlify in 2025 at age 19 and recently helped raise the funding round at age 20. Talati attended Deerfield Beach High School before going on to the University of Florida, where he took a leave of absence to build the startup full-time alongside his co-founders, a group of best friends from college.

Knowlify’s service turns any kind of document into professional animated explainer videos within minutes.

The San Francisco-based startup announced that the $3 million round was led by Formosa Capital, with participation from Y Combinator, 468 Capital, and angel investors. Knowlify said the new funding will be used to hire across engineering and go-to-market roles, train and improve the company’s AI models, and expand the product to serve more customers.

“We started Knowlify because we believe everyone deserves to learn from content that’s actually clear and engaging,” Talati told Coconut Creek Talk. “This funding lets us move faster, build better technology, and bring high-quality explainer videos to more people and organizations than ever before.”

Knowlify’s AI-explainer, video-making software is designed to turn any document into a professional animated explainer video without requiring designers, animators, or video editors, according to the company.

The company said its software takes dense training material, product documents, and lesson content and transforms them into animated videos intended to be engaging and easier to understand. And it does the job at a fraction of the traditional cost and timeline, according to Talati.

The startup said it has generated more than 500,000 videos that have surpassed five million views. Its customers range from the University of Florida to Fortune 500 companies, according to Knowlify.

The idea for the company grew out of Talati and his co-founders’ own struggles to grasp complex topics through traditional teaching methods, he said. They concluded that the problem was often not the concepts themselves, but the way the information was being delivered.

Knowlify is backed by Y Combinator, the Silicon Valley startup accelerator behind companies including Airbnb, Stripe, and DoorDash. Knowlify is available as both a self-serve platform and a fully managed service. More information is available at knowlify.com.

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A Coconut Creek truck driver was involved in a crash that killed a 45-year-old man at a Pompano Beach truck stop, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

BSO Traffic Homicide detectives said Keno-Jac Rowe, 39, of Coconut Creek, was driving a 2019 Peterbilt semi-truck with an enclosed trailer when the fatal crash happened on June 20 at the truck stop in the 1100 block of Northwest 31st Avenue.

A man identified by BSO as MD Mridha, 45, of Pompano Beach, died after being pinned between two trucks, authorities said.

According to BSO, Rowe’s Peterbilt had been parked along the driver’s side of a 2024 Kenworth semi-truck with an enclosed trailer. Rodney Battle, 56, of Grand Island, was inside the sleeper cab of the Kenworth at the time of the incident.

A preliminary investigation by BSO found that Mridha was standing on the step of the Kenworth when Rowe began pulling out of his parking space, authorities said. Detectives said Rowe was unaware Mridha was there as he attempted to maneuver the Peterbilt out of the space.

As Rowe pulled forward, the Peterbilt side-swiped the Kenworth, pinning Mridha between the Peterbilt’s trailer and the cab of the Kenworth, according to BSO.

Detectives said Rowe told investigators that Battle honked his horn, causing him to stop because he was unsure whether he had struck the Kenworth. Rowe then backed up slightly and got out of his truck to look, at which point he saw Mridha on the ground.

Mridha was taken to Broward Health North, where he was pronounced dead, according to BSO.

Investigators said excessive speed and impairment are not suspected to be factors in the crash. The investigation remains ongoing.

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Credit: Coconut Creek Police Department

Two people were killed in a single-vehicle crash Saturday night in Coconut Creek, police said. 

A 2023 Hyundai was traveling west in the 3600 block of Sample Road when it left the road and hit a concrete traffic light pole near the entrance to Tradewinds Park around 10:30 p.m.

The driver, a 30-year-old man from Coral Springs, and the passenger, a 26-year-old woman, also from Coral Springs, both died at the scene, according to Coconut Creek Police. Their names were not immediately made public.

A preliminary investigation indicates speed was a factor in the crash, police said. 

The crash investigation is ongoing. 

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A Coconut Creek Police officer stopped an 80-year-old woman from sending money to a scammer after finding her before she was fleeced, according to a police body-camera video.

The video shows Officer Michael Baker speaking calmly with the woman and warning her that she was being defrauded.

“I was supposed to get $70 million and a car,” the woman tells Baker in the video.

“I need you to listen very carefully,” Baker tells her in response. “You’re being scammed, okay? This is not a real thing. Please do not go get money and give it to anybody.”

According to Coconut Creek Police spokesperson Scotty Leamon, scammers had convinced the woman to purchase a money card with scratch-off numbers on it, a common sign of fraud.

“That right there is always a sign of a scam,” Baker tells the woman after she describes scratching off the card and giving someone the numbers.

Baker also explained how scammers often direct victims to stores such as Walgreens to buy gift cards or reloadable money cards, then falsely claim money will be waiting for them at their bank.

“You’re going to get to the bank, and they’re going to say, ‘No, ma’am,’” Baker tells her, urging her not to send more money.

”I won’t do it again,” the woman said.

Leamon praised Baker’s handling of the call, saying the officer was patient, nonjudgmental, and focused on winning the woman’s trust.

Police used the video to warn residents about common fraud schemes involving gift cards, prepaid cards, and money cards. Once a scammer obtains the card information, the money can often be drained immediately, according to police.

“There’s a scammer out there that really hates this video,” Leamon said. “And a conman’s [cursing police] because he didn’t get his money. Well, that’s our love language for the Coconut Creek Police Department.”

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Coconut Creek police spokesman Scotty Leamon is warning residents about a scam after he says he was personally targeted by a caller posing as law enforcement.

Leamon shared that he received a call on his cell phone from a blocked caller ID, noting that this is not unusual given his role as a public information officer for both a police department and a fire rescue agency.

According to Leamon, he answered the call, and the person on the other end claimed to be a sheriff’s deputy.

“He even quoted me a badge number without me asking,” Leamon said.

He added that the caller mispronounced his name, calling him “Lee-moan” instead of “Lee-mon,” which he initially did not find unusual.

Leamon said he asked how he could help, and the caller responded by claiming he had missed jury duty earlier that morning.

“He said I missed jury duty at 9 o’clock that morning and wanted to know why,” Leamon said.

Leamon emphasized that he had no jury duty scheduled and noted that official jury notifications are sent through the mail, not by phone or email.

“I never had jury duty. If I did, I would’ve been notified via mail. Not the kind that land in my email inbox. I mean the kind that I have to get out of the mailbox in front of my house,” he said.

He said he immediately hung up.

Leamon is now warning the public that the call was part of a broader scam tactic designed to pressure victims into sending money.

“The bad guys want to frighten you into running to the store and buying gift cards and then giving all the numbers on the cards to them. That way, they take control of the money,” he said.

He stressed that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not request payment in this way.

“No police department or sheriff’s office would do anything like that,” Leamon said.

Leamon’s advice to residents is simple.

“So, if what happened to me happens to you, just hang up.”

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The Coconut Creek Police Department is warning residents about a phone scam in which fraudsters pose as bank representatives, following a 73-year-old woman’s recent report of being victimized.

According to police, the scam begins with a phone call from someone claiming to work for the victim’s bank. In the recent case, the caller told the woman that someone had hacked into her Zelle account and that he needed to fix the issue.

The caller instructed the woman to log onto her bank’s website while he remained on the phone. He then convinced her to allow him to remotely access her computer so he could supposedly correct the problem.

Police said the entire situation was a scam.

Instead of fixing anything, the caller used the access to transfer money to himself. Authorities said there had never been any issue with the woman’s accounts.

The Coconut Creek Police Department reminded residents that banks do not contact customers by phone and ask for access to their accounts or computers to resolve issues.

Police say anyone who receives a similar call should hang up immediately.

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{Coconut Creek Police}

A woman who allegedly led authorities on a stolen car pursuit — and injured a Coconut Creek police officer and Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy — is now facing a felony murder charge in connection with the incident that began in Coconut Creek, authorities said.

The suspect identified herself to law enforcement as Anna Giza, 52, according to BSO. Detectives said they were working to confirm her identity.

Authorities did not provide details about the felony murder charge, including when and how that alleged crime took place.

According to investigators, Giza was involved in a vehicle pursuit on Thursday that began shortly after 4 p.m. when BSO deputies assisted Coconut Creek Police with a stolen vehicle investigation originating out of Fort Lauderdale. BSO’s involvement in the incident began near Sample Road and the Florida Turnpike.

Authorities said the driver of the stolen vehicle, later identified as Giza,  struck a marked BSO patrol unit and then struck a marked Coconut Creek Police vehicle. Authorities pursued the stolen car, which fled and entered the Florida Turnpike heading south, according to BSO. 

Both the BSO deputy and the Coconut Creek police officer whose vehicles were struck were transported to area hospitals for treatment of injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Paramedics also transported Giza to a local hospital for treatment of injuries suffered during the incident. Her injuries are not expected to be life-threatening, authorities said.

In addition to facing charges of murder by another while engaged in a specific felony (felony murder), Giza faces charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer (two counts), aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated fleeing with serious injury or death, grand theft auto, and resisting an officer without violence, according to BSO.

An investigation by BSO and the Florida Highway Patrol is ongoing, authorities said.

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Coconut Creek Police {Courtesy}

A stolen vehicle investigation in Coconut Creek escalated into a pursuit Thursday afternoon after authorities say the driver struck marked patrol units from both the Broward Sheriff’s Office and Coconut Creek Police, sending a deputy and police officer to the hospital and shutting down southbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike, according to BSO.

Shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday, BSO deputies assisted Coconut Creek Police with a stolen car investigation out of Fort Lauderdale, with BSO’s involvement beginning in the area of Sample Road and the Florida Turnpike, authorities said. 

At some point during the investigation, authorities said, the driver of the stolen vehicle struck a marked BSO unit and then struck a marked Coconut Creek Police unit. A pursuit of the stolen car was then initiated because the driver committed aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, according to BSO. The wanted driver then got on the Florida Turnpike heading south. 

Both the BSO deputy and the Coconut Creek Police officer whose cars were struck were taken to area hospitals for treatment of injuries not expected to be life-threatening, authorities said.

Deputies arrested an unidentified woman after the pursuit, authorities said. She was taken to an area hospital for treatment of unspecified injuries. Detectives said they are working to confirm her identity, and criminal charges related to the incident have not been announced. 

Additional information about the incident was not immediately made public. 

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Coconut Creek HIgh School {Aiden Palmer}

Three teenagers were arrested Thursday afternoon for allegedly setting off fireworks inside a hallway at Coconut Creek High School during dismissal, authorities said.

The incident happened at 1:35 p.m. on Wednesday as students were leaving for the day. According to Coconut Creek Police, the sound of the fireworks created panic throughout the school and prompted a large police response.

Police said the teens were charged with interfering with a school day, possession of a destructive device on school property, and exhibition of a destructive device on school property.

All three were transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center in Fort Lauderdale, authorities said.

Additional information about the incident and the arrested students was not immediately made public. 

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A man recently went to police after receiving a phone call in which scammers claimed they were members of “the cartel” and threatened to hurt him and his family unless he paid them, according to the Coconut Creek Police Department.

Authorities said the incident is part of a broader pattern in which scammers use fear as their primary weapon to pressure victims into sending money. These fraudsters often impersonate powerful or dangerous figures to create panic and force quick decisions, police said.

According to the department, scammers commonly pose as utility companies, threatening to shut off electricity unless immediate payment is made, or as law enforcement officers, falsely claiming that fines must be paid right away to avoid arrest. In each case, fear and urgency are used to override common sense and prevent victims from verifying the claims, police said.

Authorities emphasized that anyone who receives a similar call should slow down and take a moment to think before responding. Residents are encouraged to ask themselves essential questions, such as whether a utility bill has already been paid or why a supposed police officer would demand payment in unusual ways, including gift cards.

In cases involving threats or intimidation, police said people should not comply with a caller’s demands and instead contact law enforcement directly before taking any action.

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A Coconut Creek man lost a large sum of money in a sophisticated email impersonation scam, prompting a warning this week from the Coconut Creek Police Department about the growing risk of email fraud.

According to police, the victim was in the process of purchasing a high-value item when he received what appeared to be an email from the seller requesting a wire transfer to complete the transaction. Believing the message was legitimate, he sent the money.

He later realized the email did not come from the seller. A scammer had created a nearly identical address, switching two letters so subtly that the difference went unnoticed, police said. By the time the victim realized the discrepancy, the funds had already been transferred.

Police say this type of fraud relies on criminals posing as trusted contacts and hoping victims act quickly without carefully reviewing sender details. Even a minor spelling change in an email address can redirect communication to a scammer.

Authorities are urging residents to slow down and closely inspect email addresses before sending money or responding to financial requests. They warn that email accounts can also be cloned, allowing scammers to impersonate bosses, coworkers, or business partners.

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Torvis Skinner {BSO}

Coconut Creek Police arrested a man who tried to steal a new TV from a teenager Saturday, authorities said.

Torvis Skinner, 38, was busted after he tried to forcibly take the 24-inch TV from a 16-year-old boy in the 5500 block of Wiles Road, police said Tuesday. The boy had just purchased the TV and was walking down Wiles Road when Skinner tried to steal it, police said.

Skinner hit the teen several times, according to investigators. Skinner didn’t end up taking the TV but did take the teen’s hat, police said.

Officers said they later found Skinner wearing the hat at the intersection of Wiles and State Road 7. He was arrested and charged with robbery, child abuse, and probation violation. He was wearing a court-mandated ankle monitor at the time, police said.

Records show Skinner is on parole. He was booked into the Broward County Jail and was being held there without bond on Tuesday.

The teen was not seriously hurt, police said.

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Barbara Overby {Coconut Police}

Coconut Creek police on Wednesday said they have identified a murder victim whose identity was unknown for 45 years.

The victim, previously known only as “Jane Doe,” was found dead on September 28, 1981, in a canal in the 6700 block of Lyons Road, according to the Coconut Creek Police Department.

An autopsy determined that she died from gunshot wounds to the head, police said. The woman carried no identification and investigators said they were unable to determine her identity.

In November, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office helped Coconut Creek Police find the victim’s original fingerprint card in the archives of the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office. BSO ran the fingerprints through the National Crime Information Center database and there was a hit.

The fingerprints identified the victim as Barbara Overby, 24, of Fort Lauderdale, police said.

A Coconut Creek Police detective tracked down Overby’s father in North Carolina. Police said the family had not seen or heard from her in 45 years. Family members recalled rumors that she had been living in Florida, but were never able to confirm her whereabouts, police said.

The family provided two photographs of Overby, which police have released in hopes of generating new information related to the case.

The investigation into Overby’s murder remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Coconut Creek Police Department at 954-973-6700.

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‘Generations’ by Marit Meisler

At first glance, the Holocaust monument appears weighty and solemn—dark plates of steel rising directly from the ground. But it is the sculpture’s empty spaces that give it meaning, inviting visitors to take part in a story reflecting the spirit and resilience of the Jewish people.

Cut into the metal of Coconut Creek’s soon-to-be-unveiled new memorial, titled Generations, are silhouettes representing the children murdered or orphaned during the Holocaust, and the countless lives shattered by Nazi persecution. Their absences reflect the singular impact of history’s deadliest genocide: As many as 1.5 million Jewish children alone were murdered or died at the hands of Nazi officials and their collaborators during the Holocaust, during which some six million Jews were killed.

And yet, as visitors move around the memorial, those voids are filled—briefly, quietly—with life.

This is the central idea behind Generations, which will be exhibited on the city’s Government Center plaza outside City Hall beginning January 29. The deeper story of the artwork stretches far beyond the city—across continents, across decades, and across the lives of one family shaped irrevocably by the Holocaust.

“Designing a Holocaust memorial is a profound challenge: finding a way to evoke emotion without being too literal, to honor history while connecting its meaning to our lives today,” Marit Meisler, the artist who created Generations, said in a presentation.

Marit is the daughter of Frank Meisler, a world-acclaimed sculptor and Holocaust survivor who escaped Nazi Europe as a child aboard the Kindertransport—the rescue mission that began nine months before the outbreak of World War II. The United Kingdom took in nearly 15,000 Jewish and non-Jewish children from Nazi Germany and occupied Europe, placing them in British foster homes, hostels, and farms.

The figures of the children in ‘Generations’ are a direct reference to Frank Meisler’s ‘Kindertransport’ sculptures. One of the figures portrays Frank himself {Marit Meisler}.

Over a career spanning more than six decades, Frank created extraordinary public sculptures around the world, many of them focused on the Kindertransport experience. Five monuments he designed and erected in cities across Europe trace the story of the childrens’ journey, and stand today along their route to safety.

Frank Meisler, who never saw his parents after the Kindertransport, died in 2018.

In Generations, Marit Meisler drew directly from her father’s visual language. The silhouettes are a direct reference to Frank’s ‘Kindertransport’ sculptures. And in a moving tribute, one of the silhouettes rendered by Marit is Frank himself.

As adults and children walk around Generations, their bodies naturally align with the cutouts in the metal.

“Second, third, and fourth generations physically step into the spaces and the memory of those who perished,” Marit Meisler said. “In doing so, they complete the story, becoming a testament to survival, renewal, and hope.”

The Star of David in ‘Generations’ is shaped like the soft cloth stars worn in the Jewish ghettos {Marit Meisler}.

Among the monument’s most powerful details is a Star of David, shaped like the soft cloth stars Jews were forced to wear in ghettos.

Etched into ‘Generations’ is a poem written in 1943 by Hirsh Glick, a young Jewish partisan whose words became an anthem of resistance during the Holocaust {Marit Meisler}.

Also etched into the metal is a poem written in 1943 by Hirsh Glick, a young Jewish partisan whose words became an anthem of resistance during the Holocaust.

The poem reads: “Do not say: ‘This is my final way, The light of day has vanished into gray!’ The day we longed for still shall rise and glow, And in our every step, we live – we grow!”

Hirsh Glick’s poem {Marit Meisler}.

In Generations, Glick’s words – etched in English and Hebrew – are meant to echo forward for generations yet to come.

“Hirsh’s prayer came true, we rose and we grew,” Marit Meisler said. “Today, the children who fill the empty voids of the sculpture. The second, third, and fourth generations stand as proof of our people’s resilience and victory.”

The public unveiling of the Holocaust memorial will be held Jan. 29 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., with limited seating, at Coconut Creek’s Government Center. To register, call 954-956-1580.

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Coconut Creek High School {Aiden Palmer}

Bomb threats reported Wednesday morning at North Broward Preparatory School and Coconut Creek High School prompted a police response in Coconut Creek, with North Broward Prep canceling classes for the day and Coconut Creek High opening about 45 minutes late.

The Coconut Creek Police Department said both schools were among the campuses statewide that received threats Monday morning.

Officers checked both campuses and determined they were clear, police said. No injuries were reported.

North Broward Preparatory School elected to cancel classes despite the all-clear, while Coconut Creek High School delayed the start of classes before resuming normal operations.

Police said the investigation into the source of the threats was ongoing.

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Dr. Jean Dominique Foureau {American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine}.

A Broward emergency medicine doctor killed a woman in Coconut Creek Saturday before taking his own life in what detectives are investigating as a murder-suicide, police said. 

Dr. Jean Dominique Foureau, 34, killed the 38-year-old woman around 4 a.m. at a home in the 4800 block of Acardian Trail in Coconut Creek’s Paloma Lakes community, according to Coconut Creek Police spokesman Scotty Leamon. 

Authorities had responded to the home after receiving a call about a domestic incident, police said. 

Additional information, including the victim’s name, was not immediately made public Monday. 

Foureau was a 2024 graduate of Broward Health System’s Emergency Medicine Residency, where he was “trained to deliver high-quality, compassionate care in fast-paced, critical settings,” according to the system’s website. 

“Doctor JD,” as he was known to patients, grew up in Pompano Beach and graduated from Deerfield Beach High School.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army as a medic and continued his military service before and after medical school at American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. 

Fourneau served as the Emergency Battalion Surgeon for the 2-124 Infantry Battalion in the Florida Army National Guard, according to a social media post by the university’s alumni engagement office. 

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The Coconut Creek Police Department has issued a scam alert after an 81-year-old woman was targeted in what authorities described as a “Bank Card Courier Scam.”

According to police, the woman recently received a phone call from a female scammer who claimed to be calling from her bank. The caller told the victim that her bank card had been “compromised” and said someone would be sent to her home to collect the card and replace it.

Police said a scammer — possibly the same female who made the phone call — later arrived at the woman’s residence and took the bank card in person. The fraudster told the victim she would return shortly with a new card.

That never happened.

After taking the card, the scammer tried to drain the victim’s bank account, police said. The attempted transactions were stopped before they went through after the woman, with the help of her daughter, realized what had happened.

The crime prompted the Coconut Creek Police Department to issue a public warning reminding residents that banks do not operate this way.

“It’s important to remember that no one from your bank would ever call you out of the blue and tell you that there is something wrong with your bank card,” the department said in its alert.

Police also emphasized that banks would never send someone to a customer’s home to collect a bank card.

“If you ever get a similar phone call, just hang up,” the alert states.

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Jeff’s Bagel Run in Coconut Creek. {Jeff’s Bagel Run}

Jeff’s Bagel Run, a fast-growing Florida bagel brand built from a grassroots “bagel run” during the pandemic, has opened a new location in Coconut Creek.

The shop, located at 6970 N. State Road 7, Suite 105, offers freshly baked bagels, house-made spreads, and coffee and cold brew. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the store can be reached at 954-531-0995 or coconutcreek@jeffsbagelrun.com, according to the company website.

The store’s opening brings the company’s signature flavors to Coconut Creek, including bagels like Asiago Everything, blueberry, jalapeño pepper jack, and tomato grilled cheese, along with spreads ranging from plain and veggie to roasted jalapeño and cake batter.

The business began after founders Jeff and Danielle Perera relocated to Central Florida in 2016 and found themselves missing the authentic New York–style bagels Danielle grew up eating. Unsatisfied with the options available, they decided to make their own.

When Jeff was laid off in 2019, Danielle encouraged him to turn their shared love of bagels into something more, launching their effort to perfect a recipe together—Jeff baking and Danielle taste-testing, according to a history on the company’s website.

During the pandemic, Jeff began personally delivering freshly baked “Always boiled, never toasted” bagels to friends, neighbors, and local businesses.

The response was so strong that demand quickly exceeded what they could produce at home, the company says. That momentum led the Pereras to expand into local markets and events, eventually opening their first brick-and-mortar Jeff’s Bagel Run location in Ocoee in June 2021. Danielle later left her corporate job to join Jeff “full bagel” as the business continued to grow, according to the company history.

The Coconut Creek shop also offers catering for both small gatherings and large corporate events, with details available on the company’s catering page.

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Axon Air Skydio drones

Coconut Creek commissioners on Thursday will consider a pair of resolutions that together would help launch a new police drone program—one measure accepting a $100,000 state grant to purchase four drones, and a second authorizing another $100,000 in federal forfeiture funds to cover the program’s required software and support services.

The first resolution accepts a $100,000 Drone Replacement Program Grant from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). According to city documents, Coconut Creek applied for the program earlier this year and was selected to receive full funding.

A second resolution up for a vote Thursday would authorize the city to use $100,000 from Coconut Creek’s Federal Forfeiture Justice Fund to support the software and services needed to operate the Axon Air Skydio drones.

The measure specifically allocates the funds for the purchase of the Axon Air Skydio Basic Patrol software and subscription, which would cover software access, technical support, and warranty services for the drones over a five-year period.

The city maintains federal and state law enforcement trust funds for the lawful receipt and disbursement of forfeiture money – funds seized in connection with criminal investigations – in compliance with Department of Justice guidelines, city records show.

Police said they requested the forfeiture fund appropriation to ensure their new drone program includes the necessary operational software, maintenance systems, and ongoing support.

Axon Air Skydio Basic Patrol is the platform that will allow Coconut Creek officers to manage the drones, store and review flight data, and integrate the aircraft into patrol and emergency-response operations, records show.

The subscription also provides access to system updates, technical support, and warranties over the full five-year term, ensuring the new drone fleet remains functional and compliant with regulatory standards, city records state.

Together, the two resolutions would fully fund both the equipment and its long-term support infrastructure, clearing the way for the city’s first police drone program.

Police drones are typically used for search-and-rescue operations, crime-scene documentation, traffic-collision reconstruction, and providing officers with aerial views during emergency responses.

Commissioners are expected to vote on both drone items at Thursday’s commission meeting.

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The Coconut Creek Police Department is urging residents to be cautious when searching online for local business phone numbers after a city woman was scammed out of hundreds of dollars by a fraudulent listing.

According to police, the woman filed a report after attempting to order pizza from a local restaurant. Instead of reaching the legitimate business, she dialed the number she found online beginning with 888 — not the 954 area code commonly used by local establishments.

Believing she was placing a normal order, the woman provided her credit card information to the male scammer who answered the phone. Police said the scammer then used her card to go on a personal shopping spree, purchasing items that included pest-control supplies and PVC pipe.

Authorities said the incident highlights how easy it is for fraudulent or misleading business listings to appear in online search results—and how quickly scammers can exploit them.

While not every number beginning with 888 is a scam, police advised residents to be “very wary” and double-check area codes before calling any local business.

The department emphasized a simple rule of thumb: When you’re hungry and searching for your favorite spot’s number online, make sure the listing starts with your local area code.

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Coconut Creek Police {Courtesy}

Five males accused of stealing merchandise from the new Burlington store in Coconut Creek Plaza were arrested Monday night after running from police, authorities said.

According to the Coconut Creek Police Department, store staff called 911 just after 5 p.m. to report a group of men “stealing pretty much everything that wasn’t nailed down,” prompting officers to respond immediately to the plaza, police said.

As police arrived, all five suspects bolted, sprinting out of the store and jumping a fence into the Hammocks neighborhood, police said.

Officers caught up with them and took all five into custody without incident. None of the suspects live in Coconut Creek, police said, and one was a juvenile.

Police identified the five as Adrion Hall, 22, of Miami; Jonal Beaucejour, 20, of North Miami; Nikell Etienne, 22, of Miami; Eroid Esperance, 27, of Miami; and a 17-year-old whose name was not made public.

All five face charges of grand theft and resisting arrest for fleeing from officers, police said.

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{Coconut Creek Police}

Coconut Creek Police and firefighters are investigating the cause of a house fire that left two dogs with smoke inhalation Tuesday night, authorities said.

The fire started at 6:15 pm in a home in Hammock Estates, police said. No humans were hurt.

The two family dogs, chihuahuas named Brownie and Pepper, were both treated and released from a veterinary hospital and are doing well, police said.

Additional information about the fire was not immediately made public.

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K9 Arlo. {Coconut Creek Police}

A silent alarm at Monarch High School early Saturday led to a swift police response and a quick surrender—thanks to one very persuasive police dog.

Coconut Creek Police say three trespassers set off the school’s alarm before dawn on Nov. 22, prompting officers to surround the campus and search the grounds. When the suspects spotted officers, they bolted.

That’s when K9 Arlo arrived.

According to police, one responding officer announced the K9 team’s presence, at which time Arlo barked. Hearing the police dog, the alleged trespassing trio immediately reconsidered their escape plan and surrendered without further incident, deciding not to “test his bite,” police said.

All three were charged with trespassing on school grounds. Police identified two of the suspects as Rafael Teixeira, 19, of Coconut Creek, and Leonardo Basso, 19, of Deerfield Beach. The third suspect, a 16-year-old, was taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center in Fort Lauderdale. Teixeira and Basso were booked into the Broward County Jail.

Officers reported no damage to the school.

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Rendering of Mainstreet at Coconut Creek.

Developers have closed on the $68 million purchase of 170 acres of land in Coconut Creek for the development of Mainstreet Coconut Creek, the city’s long-envisioned downtown. 

Plans for the multi-phase project include approximately 80,000 square feet of grocery-anchored retail space, 792 apartment units, 414 townhomes, 148 villas, and 296 condominium units across 12 development blocks, all  with pedestrian-friendly and cycle-centric designs. 

The parcel, one of the largest available in Broward before the purchase, is bounded by Sample Road, Wiles Road, Lyons Road, and State Road 7. Known by most as the John’s Family Farm, the property was originally purchased by Eva and Joe Johns, who moved to the land from North Florida in 1918 and farmed beans. 

“Closing on this property represents a historic milestone for Coconut Creek and the culmination of years of collaboration,” Alex Rosemurgy, CEO of Rosemurgy Properties, said on behalf of the development team. “Mainstreet will transform one of the last remaining large-scale sites in Broward County into a vibrant, walkable community that balances new homes, shops, and civic amenities with thoughtfully designed parks and green spaces. We are proud to honor the legacy of the Johns Family Farm as we take this first step toward creating a true city center.”

The purchase was a joint venture between Rosemurgy Properties, 13th Floor Homes, Schmier Property Group, and Giles Capital Group, who teamed up on the deal in the hopes of creating the mixed-use Mainstreet community expected to serve as Coconut Creek’s downtown core. 

According to the developers, the project’s civic and cultural amenities will be built across four blocks and include a Village Green with gathering areas, children’s play areas, a splash pad, a dog park, performance space, and public art, along with a parking garage, outdoor amenity block, and a site reserved for a new fire station or other civic use. 

Green space will be woven throughout the project, highlighted by a 14-acre wetland preserve and more than six miles of biking and exercise trails, the development team said. 

Michael Nunziata, President of 13th Floor Homes, called Mainstreet  “a generational project” that will “enrich the lives of residents for decades to come.”

The development agreement for the project was approved by the Coconut Creek City Commission in August after years of planning and discussions. 

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A Coconut Creek man and a juvenile female were killed when the motorcycle they were riding crashed into a car, authorities said Wednesday.

Simon Dias Do Santos, 21, was driving a 2002 Honda CB900F motorcycle north in the 1200 block of Powerline Road in Deerfield Beach on Oct. 18 around 7: 20 p.m. when the motorcycle struck a 2025 Nissan Rogue that was making a U-turn, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

Santos was rushed to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and pronounced dead a short time later, authorities said.

The juvenile female passenger traveling with Santos was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and died on Saturday, Oct. 25, according to BSO. Because of her age, her name was not made public.

Two passengers in the Rogue were also rushed to the hospital after suffering injuries listed as not life-threatening.

The driver of the Rogue, Douglas Hall, 65, of Nebraska, was not injured.

According to investigators, witnesses who saw the crash said Santos was speeding before the collision. The witnesses also said Hall had initiated the U-turn at a safe distance from nearby vehicles.

Detectives said excessive speed by Santos could be a contributing factor in the crash. Driver impairment is not considered a factor, officials said.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, according to BSO.

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The Coconut Creek Police Department is warning residents about a scam using the name and likeness of CNN medical commentator and brain surgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta after an 80-year-old woman fell victim to the scheme.

According to a police scam alert, the scheme—making its first known appearance in Coconut Creek—relies on artificial intelligence to create convincing deepfakes of Dr. Gupta’s image, voice, and video. The fraudulent materials are being used to promote fake health cures and bogus products, police said.

Gupta first warned of the scam in July during a CNN appearance, where he noted that scammers were exploiting AI to impersonate him.

Police said the 80-year-old woman in Coconut Creek recently fell victim to the fraud after one of the scammers called her by phone. She not only sent money but also provided personal information that could be used to steal her identity, police said.

Authorities said such scams increasingly rely on AI-generated deepfakes that make it appear victims are hearing or seeing real people.

The department urged residents to stay vigilant and remember that if something “sounds too good to be true, it is.” Anyone receiving unsolicited calls or messages promising easy solutions should ignore them, police said.

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The Coconut Creek Police Department is warning residents about the return of the Microsoft Support scam after a 72-year-old man fell victim to the criminal scheme.

According to police, the man received a phone call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft’s Support Team. The caller informed him that his bank account information had been compromised due to a virus on his computer.

Another person, also part of the scam, then got on the phone and instructed the man to go to a store and buy gift cards in order to fix the issue. Believing the call was legitimate, the man purchased the gift cards and provided the scammers with the numbers on the back.

Police said the transaction “sealed the deal,” and the victim lost his money.

The department is reminding residents that anytime someone asks for gift cards to solve a problem, it is a scam.

“Always remember that any time you are asked to buy gift cards to solve some so-called ‘problem,’ it’s a scam,” police said in the alert.

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{Coconut Creek PD}

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man accused of vandalizing Coconut Creek Fire Station 50.

According to investigators, the vandalism happened around 9:45 a.m. on Sept. 12, when the perpetrator spray-painted several marks on the back patio of the fire station.

The man was last seen walking into the South Creek neighborhood, police said.

Police on Friday released still images of the vandal from surveillance video. No arrests have been announced in the case.

Anyone with information about the vandal is asked to call the Coconut Creek Police Department at 954-973-6700 and reference case number 25-14257.

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Coconut Creek Police are cautioning residents about a recent wave of scams aimed at Bitcoin account holders after a local woman was tricked into giving fraudsters access to her Coinbase account.

According to police, the scammers contacted the victim by text message, falsely claiming her account password for Coinbase – a cryptocurrency exchange – had been changed. Believing the message was legitimate, she followed the instructions and unknowingly handed over control of her account.

Authorities said the case is part of a growing trend in which criminals target cryptocurrency users through emails, text messages, and phone calls. The scams often use alarming or urgent language to pressure victims into providing sensitive information.

“Be very wary when a stranger reaches out to you pretending to have solutions to problems you never understood you had. It’s always a scam,” the department said in its alert.

Police urge residents to ignore suspicious messages and never share personal account details with anyone claiming to represent financial institutions or cryptocurrency platforms.

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Howard Fray, Christian Rodriguez , and Joseph Rodriguez. {BSO}

Coconut Creek police say three men who came into the city looking to break into cars left in handcuffs early Saturday morning.

According to investigators, officers responded around 3:37 a.m. on August 23 to a 911 call reporting suspects trying to rummage through unlocked vehicles in the 4400 block of Banyan Trails Drive. Police quickly set up a perimeter around the neighborhood.

An officer soon spotted a blue car within the perimeter and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Police said all three men inside jumped out and ran, but officers chased them down and took them into custody.

The suspects were identified as Howard Fray, 23, of West Park, and Christian Rodriguez, 22, and Joseph Rodriguez, 18, both of Hollywood. Each was charged with attempted burglary and resisting arrest. Officers also recovered burglary tools from the car, police said.

Authorities added that all three men had active warrants from other jurisdictions. They were transported to the Broward County Jail.

Bond information for the men was not immediately available.

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Coconut Creek Fire Rescue {Aiden Palmer}

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash in Coconut Creek Monday afternoon, authorities said.

The crash happened around 2:10 p.m. at the intersection of Copans Road and Northwest 42nd Avenue, according to the Coconut Creek Police Department.

Emergency crews transported both injured people to Broward Health North for treatment, police said. Their conditions were not immediately released.

As officers investigated the crash and worked to clear the scene, eastbound lanes of Copans Road were briefly shut down between Lyons Road and Northwest 42nd Avenue, police said.

Police were urging drivers to avoid the area and use alternate routes until the roadway reopens.

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Coconut Creek Police are alerting residents to a new scam after an 80-year-old man in the city was tricked out of money through a fraudulent loan scheme.

According to police, the victim received a text message claiming he was eligible for a $10,000 loan. Believing the message was legitimate, he called the number provided and spoke with a scammer who convinced him to share personal information, police said.

The fraudster then placed fake deposits into the man’s bank account and instructed him to quickly purchase gift cards before the bank flagged the transactions, according to investigators.

The victim was told to provide the scammer with the gift card numbers, allowing the scammer to immediately steal the funds, police said.

Because the deposits never cleared, the man’s bank account was left overdrawn, the alert states.

Police said the crime falls under the “too good to be true” category of scams.

“If it sounds too good to be true, it is,” officials said in the alert.

The fraud case is under investigation, and no arrests have been announced.

Authorities urge any residents who receive similar text messages to delete them immediately and avoid providing personal or financial information to those who contact them by phone.

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Police are warning Coconut Creek residents about a phone scam in which callers pose as Social Security Administration agents to trick victims into handing over cash.

The Coconut Creek Police Department issued a scam alert Tuesday after an 85-year-old woman in the city reported being targeted. According to police, the scammer told the woman she was under investigation for identity theft, even sending her a fake photo of a Social Security Administration badge.

The caller instructed her to withdraw a large sum of cash from her bank and hand it over for “safekeeping” during the so-called investigation. She refused, recognizing the call as fraudulent.

Police said no legitimate government agency would ever call residents unexpectedly and demand money.

“For you, we want the same results,” police said. “If you get a similar call, just hang up.”

Authorities urge anyone who receives a suspicious call to report it to Coconut Creek Police at their non-emergency line at 954-973-6700.

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Army Specialist Daniel Agami. {courtesy}

A bridge in Coconut Creek will soon bear the name of a local hero, after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation to honor Army Specialist Daniel J. Agami, a Coconut Creek native who was killed in Iraq in 2007.

The designation, made law through Florida House Bill 987, directs the state’s Department of Transportation to name the bridge on State Road 7 over Sample Road the SPC Daniel J. Agami Bridge. The measure was introduced as an amendment by Representative Christine Hunschofsky (D-Parkland) and passed unanimously in the legislature with bipartisan support.

“This bridge is at the center of the cities where Daniel Agami grew up, making it the perfect place to honor his service and sacrifice,” said Rep. Hunschofsky. “This dedication will be a reflection of the enduring love of a community that will never forget him.”

Agami, 25, was killed on June 21, 2007, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Adhamiyah, Iraq. He had already served nearly three years as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and chose to re-enlist for another four years, with hopes of potentially becoming a military chaplain.

Known among fellow soldiers as “The Hebrew Hammer,” Agami maintained a kosher diet and was committed to his faith, carrying his tallis, tefillin, and a mezuzah around his neck. When his body was recovered, he was found with his tehillim (Psalms) still in his possession.

Agami’s heroism in combat earned him numerous decorations, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with valor, the Infantryman’s Badge, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraqi Campaign Medal.

He served with the 26th Infantry Regiment, a unit within the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division, and encouraged fellow soldiers to stay physically fit, his family said.

Before enlisting at age 23 – a decision spurred by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 – Agami was a popular local DJ, athlete, and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student.

Beth and Itzhak Agami, Daniel’s parents, have worked to ensure their son’s legacy is remembered in Broward County.

“With the support of Representative Hunschofsky, we are thrilled to share that the bridge naming is one step closer to becoming a reality in memory of our son, brother and hero,” they said in a joint statement. “Her dedication and advocacy have played a key role in moving this initiative forward, and we are incredibly grateful for her partnership in honoring this important cause along with Bridges for the Fallen, and we are so looking forward to the dedication.”

Beth Agami, an American Gold Star Mother, has spearheaded other local efforts to honor her son. She worked with Parkland officials to plant a memorial tree with a plaque outside City Hall and install a portrait of Daniel at the Parkland Library.

In 2013, she helped launch Parkland’s Veterans Park so residents wouldn’t have to leave the city to attend Memorial Day or Veterans Day events.

More recently, she helped the city unveil a flag drop box outside City Hall, dedicated in Daniel’s memory.

In an interview last year, Beth Agami reflected on her son’s unwavering faith and courage.

“Even when he got to Iraq, he was always Jewishly connected,” she said. “That’s who Daniel was—he lived with purpose, and he died with honor.”

A formal bridge dedication ceremony is expected to be announced in the coming months.

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Andre Douglas and Christopher Murray II. {BSO}

Two men were arrested in Coconut Creek Saturday after allegedly stealing Apple iPads from a local Walmart and attempting a brazen escape across a busy roadway — only to be caught moments later by city police.

Christopher Murray II, 23, and Andre Douglas, 22, both of West Palm Beach, were charged with grand theft and resisting arrest after officers said they ran out of the Walmart on West Hillsboro Boulevard on July 26 with the stolen electronics in hand.

The pair sprinted through the parking lot toward a waiting getaway vehicle, unaware that police officers were already in position, authorities said.

According to the Coconut Creek Police Department, the getaway car was boxed in. So the duo allegedly bolted on foot, crossing Hillsboro Boulevard and making their way into the parking lot of a nearby Kohl’s department store.

They didn’t get far. Officers apprehended both suspects a short time later.

Police said Murray and Douglas may be tied to similar thefts in other parts of Broward County, and additional charges could be forthcoming as investigators coordinate with nearby jurisdictions.

Bond information for the men’s cases was not immediately available.

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The Coconut Creek Police Department is warning residents to be on alert after a local woman narrowly avoided falling victim to an Apple ID scam that’s been making the rounds nationwide.

The scam, which targets users of Apple Pay and other Apple services, involves fraudsters posing as Apple customer support representatives. Victims receive a phone call or text message claiming that suspicious activity or fraud has been detected on their Apple account.

The scammers then attempt to coax users into revealing personal details, including passwords and other sensitive financial information.

According to the department, one Coconut Creek woman was recently contacted by someone pretending to be from Apple. The caller tried to convince her to hand over private account details under the guise of resolving fraudulent charges.

Fortunately, she consulted a friend before taking action—who quickly recognized the situation as a scam and kept the woman from becoming a victim, police said.

Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by a scam can contact the Coconut Creek Police Department’s non-emergency line at (954) 973-6700.

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Wedly Vil {BSO}

A man broke into a computer lab at Coconut Creek High School on Sunday night before police arrested him for burglary, authorities said.

According to the Coconut Creek Police Department, Wedly Vil, 25, of Pompano Beach, jumped the school’s fence and forced his way into the computer lab, setting off an alarm on school grounds shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday.

Officers responding to the alarm reported spotting Vil near the school’s portable trailer classrooms. He took off running after seeing the officers, but was caught after a short pursuit, during which he was physically restrained by police, according to an arrest report.

Officers said they found evidence in Vil’s backpack suggesting he may have committed additional burglaries at other locations.

Vil was charged with burglary and resisting arrest. The investigation is ongoing, police said.

The accused burglar was being held at the Broward County Main Jail on Tuesday on an $8,000 bond, according to online records.

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{Coconut Creek Police}

A car hit a building column at Winston Park Plaza in Coconut Creek on Monday afternoon, causing damage to a dry cleaning business, authorities said.

According to Coconut Creek Police, the crash happened at 2:26 p.m. No one was injured.

A city building official was at the scene surveying the damage.

The crash investigation is ongoing, police said.

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Coconut Creek Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying two people who stole “copious amounts” of makeup from the Sephora in Promenade at Coconut Creek, authorities said Monday.

The duo strolled into the store on July 3 and stuffed the beauty products in a purse, into their pockets, and down their pants, according to police. They then walked past the last point of sale without paying for any of the merchandise, investigators said.

Police released a still video image of the duo on Monday, taken from store surveillance footage.

Anyone who can help identify the thieves is asked to call detectives at 954-973-6700 and reference case number 2025-10902.

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The Coconut Creek Police Department is warning residents to be on the lookout for a work-from-home scam that recently targeted a 25-year-old man in the city.

According to a scam alert issued Tuesday, the man believed he had been hired for a remote job through an online listing. As part of the supposed onboarding process, the company sent him a check and instructed him to cash it.

Shortly after, the scammers claimed there had been “mix-ups” and directed him to wire portions of the money to different destinations, police said.

The man complied—but soon realized he had been scammed, according to investigators. His bank also flagged the activity, confirming that the check was fraudulent and he had unknowingly sent real money to criminals.

Police say the incident is a classic example of an advance-payment scam and are urging job seekers to exercise caution.

 “Upfront payments are always a big sign you’re dealing with a scam artist,” the department said in Tuesday’s alert. “Keep that in mind if you’re work-from-home job hunting.”

Work-from-home scams have surged nationwide in recent years, particularly since the pandemic popularized remote work. Fraudsters often impersonate legitimate businesses or create fake job postings to lure unsuspecting victims.

Coconut Creek Police advise anyone who suspects a scam to avoid further contact with the sender and report the incident to authorities immediately.

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Arthur Jenkins {BSO}

Coconut Creek Police have arrested an alleged car burglar they say stole and used a victim’s credit cards, authorities said.

The police department’s Special Enforcement Team detectives arrested Arthur Jenkins III, 20, of Pompano Beach on June 30 on charges of vehicle burglary, possession of stolen credit cards, and using stolen credit cards.

Jenkins allegedly committed a car burglary in the Winston Park area on April 9 and took two credit cards out of the victim’s unlocked car, then used both cards to make purchases, police said.

Jenkins was booked into the Broward County Jail and later released on a $15,000 bond, according to court records.

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A conman impersonating a Coconut Creek Police sergeant has been phoning residents as part of a scam, the police department said Tuesday.

“He’s telling folks they missed a court date, and officers are coming to arrest them unless they pay an immediate fine,” the department said on social media.

“Of course, the scammers say they’ll take payment over the phone,” police wrote. “We would never call anyone and threaten to take them to jail over some unpaid fine.”

Police said anyone who receives a similar phone call should hang up.

Also, on Tuesday, authorities warned about a fake bank employee scam targeting Coconut Creek residents.

A 76-year-old Coconut Creek woman fell victim to a conman who pretended to be calling from her bank and told her all her accounts were compromised.

“She was scared, which is exactly what the scammer wanted,” police wrote on social media.

The conman convinced the woman to disclose more of her personal information, which ultimately led to him scamming her out of thousands of dollars through Apple Pay purchases, police said.

Fraudsters like Apple Pay because it’s fast and convenient to make quick transactions, according to the department.

As with the police impersonation scam, police said anyone who receives a call purporting to be from a bank asking for personal information should hang up.

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Iury Daniel De Sena [GoFundMe]

Authorities on Tuesday arrested a juvenile in the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy on the Winston Park Nature Trail in April 2024, police said.

Iury Daniel De Sena, a student at Lyons Creek Middle School in Coconut Creek, was stabbed repeatedly by a killer who fled the scene on foot and eluded a sprawling manhunt by police on April 20, 2024.  De Sena later died from his injuries.

The juvenile was charged with felony murder. Neither their name nor any other details about them were immediately made public by police Thursday.

Coconut Creek Police on Thursday said De Sena had arranged on social media to sell drugs to the juvenile at the nature trail.

When De Sena arrived to make the drug deal, the juvenile attempted to rob him and an “altercation” took place, police said in a written announcement.

The juvenile, armed with a knife, allegedly stabbed De Sena multiple times before fleeing, police said.

Detectives later identified the accused juvenile killer, who was apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service and Coconut Creek Police on Tuesday, authorities said.

Additional information about the arrest was not immediately available on Thursday.

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Bryce McFadden. {Facebook}

The shooter who killed a 19-year-old man in Coconut Creek last November was acting in self-defense during a drug deal and will not be charged with murder, authorities said Wednesday.

Bryce McFadden suffered gunshot wounds to his head at the Coco Parc condominiums at 801 Lyons Road on Nov. 5 around 5:44 p.m., according to Coconut Creek Police.

During their investigation, detectives learned McFadden had arranged on social media to buy drugs from a person he didn’t know, police said.

When the person arrived to make the drug deal, McFadden tried to rob them using a stolen firearm, according to detectives.

The would-be drug seller, who was also armed, then shot McFadden, police said.

The shooter’s name was not immediately made public Wednesday.

Detectives had submitted a probable cause affidavit to the Broward County State Attorney’s Office Homicide Trial Unit (HTU) for a charge of felony murder against the shooter, based on the fact that the killing happened during an illegal drug deal, according to investigators.

The HTU determined that the homicide was justified because the shooter was acting in self-defense, police said.

Additional details about the case were not immediately available Wednesday.

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A Coconut Creek woman lost several thousand dollars in a Bitcoin scam, authorities said.

Con artists recently targeted the 74-year-old resident with pop-up warnings on her computer claiming she had been hacked, according to Coconut Creek Police.

The pop-up messages directed her to a phony phone number that the scammers had cloned. When the victim called the number, the fraudsters pretended to be agents with the Federal Trade Commission, police said.

The culprits even went as far as to send the victim a fake picture showing a supposed FTC agent’s badge and face, according to investigators.

Next, the scammers told the victim she was in trouble and that the only way out of it was to make several bank withdrawals, then convert her money to Bitcoin, police said.

“They promised her that once they had her Bitcoin, everything would be okay,” police said in a social media post. “That of course was a lie.”

The victim lost several thousand dollars, according to police. A precise amount was not available on Tuesday.

“Remember that any time someone tries to convince you to send them money in the form of Bitcoin, or visit a Bitcoin machine, it’s a scam,” the police department said.

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Coconut Creek Police {Courtesy}

The Coconut Creek Police Department is hiring officers and offering a $7,500 signing bonus to qualified candidates.

To be eligible for hire, candidates must have completed basic recruit training at a certified state police academy and possess a current law enforcement officer certification from the state of Florida, the police department said.

Alternatively, candidates can be currently enrolled in a Florida police academy and be able to obtain a Florida law enforcement certification before employment.

If a candidate does not meet either of the above criteria, they must complete basic recruit training at an out-of-state certified police academy and have the ability to obtain law enforcement officer certification from the state of Florida.

A criminal history check and a driving record check will be conducted for all applicants. Candidates cannot have visible tattoos while wearing long-sleeved, standard-issue department uniforms, officials said.

To be eligible for the $7,500 sign-on bonus, candidates must currently be employed as a law enforcement officer, be certified as a law enforcement officer in Florida, and have a minimum of one year of full-time, sworn law enforcement experience in Florida immediately prior to applying.

Former Coconut Creek Police Officers are not eligible for the signing bonus, which is paid upon hire, officials said.

The current minimum salary for a police officer joining the department is $71,285.76, according to the city. The maximum salary is $112,279.44.

For more information and to apply, visit the city’s jobs portal here.

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{Burlington}

A new Burlington store is slated to open this Fall at the former Big Lots in Coconut Creek, according to the company.

“We are thrilled to bring a new store to the Coconut Creek community, offering residents our everyday low prices on a wide assortment of brand-name merchandise for the entire family and home,” a company spokesperson told Coconut Creek Talk Thursday.

The spokesperson said Burlington Stores did not have any further information to share about the new store, located at 4847 Coconut Creek Parkway. The space was formerly a Big Lots, which closed in August.

Burlington started as Burlington Coat Factory over 50 years ago, selling off-price coats out of a factory building in Burlington, New Jersey. The off-price retail chain has more than 1,000 stores nationwide and sells a wide assortment of low-priced brand-name apparel, home décor, and many other items.

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The Coconut Creek Police Department on Thursday said it hopes to launch its new school speed zone camera program at the start of the next school year in August 2025.

According to city Police Chief Frederick Hofer, the program aims to reduce speeding in school zones and protect students during school hours.

A police department spokesman said the permitting process for the camera system is underway, and officials are eyeing a tentative launch date in August.

“We believe that the implementation of the school Speed Zone System will be a great tool to slow down drivers and bring awareness to our school zones,” Hofer said in a video message to Coconut Creek residents on Thursday. “The safety of our students is a top priority, and this system will help us achieve that goal.”

The speed cameras, not yet activated, have been installed outside seven schools in Coconut Creek: Lyons Creek Middle School, Coconut Creek High School, Tradewinds Elementary School, Monarch High School, Dave Thomas Education Center, Atlantic Technical College, and Winston Park Elementary School.

The locations were strategically selected to maximize student safety and improve driver compliance with speed limits, Hofer said.

Here’s how the camera system works, according to the chief:

Using radar or laser speed detection equipment, the cameras will monitor vehicles traveling through school zones. When a vehicle exceeds the speed limit by more than 10 mph, the system captures photos and video of the violation.

The speed detection cameras will operate 30 minutes before school starts, throughout the school day, and 30 minutes after dismissal. They will not be active on weekends, holidays, or outside of school hours.

Drivers exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 10 mph will receive a $100 civil citation mailed to the registered vehicle owner. The violations won’t add points to driver’s licenses or affect insurance rates. Citations can be paid online, by phone, or by mail.

If the registered owner wasn’t driving at the time of the violation, they can submit an affidavit identifying the actual driver. Failure to respond to the citation will result in it being converted to a uniform traffic citation and transferred to county court.

Clear signage will be posted before each school zone, alerting drivers they are entering a photo-enforced area, Hofer said.

He emphasized that the system will provide consistent enforcement regardless of police staffing levels, allowing officers to focus on other community priorities while maintaining school zone safety.

“A significant benefit of having these cameras in school zones is that enforcement will happen every day that school is in session. It does not depend on our staffing levels,” said Hofer. “The enforcement is fair, consistent, and encourages drivers to adjust their behavior.”

Revenue from citations will support the school crossing guard program and other public safety initiatives as regulated by Florida law, according to the chief.

Hofer urged drivers to remain vigilant in school zones, noting that lower speeds and increased pedestrian activity require full attention.

“Drivers should put their phones down, obey the speed limit, and always be on the lookout for children and other pedestrians,” he said. “Your attentiveness could save a life. Let’s all do our part.”

The Coconut Creek City Commission approved the school speed zone camera program in July 2024. At the time, Hofer said the highest number of speed violations in the city were happening in front of Lyons Creek Middle School.

The commission at the time also agreed to contract with RedSpeed to provide the camera service.

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Members of the Coconut Creek Police Department were recently honored by by the United States Postal Inspection Service {Coconut Creek Police}.

Six members of the Coconut Creek Police force were honored by the United States Postal Inspection Service recently for helping bring down a mail theft ring.

The Inspection Service, which is the federal law enforcement arm of USPS, awarded special recognitions to Coconut Creek Police Sgt. James Dingus, Officer Sean Brewster, and Crime Scene Investigator Keisha Hicock for their work on the 2021 investigation – and subsequent prosecution – that resulted in two men receiving more than 30 months each in federal prison, according to the police department.

Three Coconut Creek Police detectives were also awarded, but they are not being identified due to their work on the streets for the department’s Special Enforcement Team.

The accused mail thieves, Ramses Fernandez Rodriguez and Johnny Blanco Figueroa, were arrested on July 9, 2021, for stealing mail in the city – busts that led to the recovery of 65 stolen credit cards and 40 personal checks, police said.

The stolen materials contained enough personal information to steal 38 identities, according to investigators.

The case went federal because it involved United States mail and was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami-Dade County.

Rodriguez pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit mail fraud, according to court records.

He was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison in September 2024, the records show.

Figueroa pleaded guilty to the same charges as Rodriguez and was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison in September 2024, according to court filings.

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